Westside Church of Christ

The first day of the week is a wonderful time and the perfect way to begin again. There was a remarkable discovery early on the first day of the week. The sunrise revealed that the Son had risen. It was the culmination of a three-day event that changed everything. The death, burial and resurrection of our Savior opened a door that sin had shut. The empty tomb was the stamp of authenticity that Jesus was indeed the Son of God (Romans 1:4).

Anyone could have made the claim. No doubt some did, but here was one that offered proof during His lifetime and after His death. John recorded the signs that underscored the truth of His identity which provides a solid foundation for faith and eternal life (John 20:30-31). This one who was born among the animals truly was deity. A stone was rolled away that supplied the ultimate evidence. The Christ lived, died and rose to live forevermore.

The resurrection solidifies our hope (1 Peter 1:3). Circumstances can leave us despondent if we focus on them. A mindset of hopelessness is fertile ground for erratic thinking and opens us up to phony concepts. We are joined with Jesus in burial and resurrection when we are baptized (Colossians 2:12-14), and that elevates us above the short-term environment that drags us down. There is an eternal aspect to our existence that assures us of better days ahead which will last forever. Christians have a living hope.

That empty grave also brings another rock-solid fact into focus. There is a judgment (Acts 17:30- 31). The call is to repentance. Paul had shared the true God with the Athenians, and now they were faced with a choice: Believe in or reject the God of creation which he had preached to them. Either way, the One who had experienced life, death and resurrection was going to be their judge. They were at a crossroads. Some sneered at the thought of a dead man being raised. They will have another chance to scoff when they appear before Him in judgment?

It is appointed for each of us to die once, and then comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27-28). No one will sidestep that appointment (2 Corinthians 5:10). It is a sobering thought. Life passes so quickly. Eternity won’t. It never ends. We will all spend it somewhere; either with God or separated from Him. It is a monumental decision. The Son of God entered into the human experience totally and absolutely. He knows the journey and is the way to the Father. He opened the door.

Will we walk through it? The path is through a tomb. Resurrection will either bring life or condemnation. It is up to each of us. The responsibility is huge. He has given exactly what His righteousness demanded: A death for sin. Will we accept His salvation by faith or eternally endure torment?

Call to Praise: Hebrews 12:1-3

His word on it: Hebrews 10:36

Sermon: “Never Give Up”